People · Consumer Internet & Media

NODWIN Gaming appoints new board member and director

By Startup Enthusiast · 12 March 2026

What they do

NODWIN Gaming operates across esports, gaming, and youth entertainment, building and monetising youth-focused content

Arnd Benninghoff, an MTG executive, joined the board, and Sonal Varma was appointed Global Director – Live Events

The company also began a pre-IPO fundraising round with UBS as lead advisor, aiming for global expansion

Arnd Benninghoff, Executive Vice President of Gaming at Modern Times Group (MTG), was appointed to the NODWIN Gaming board.
Sonal Varma was appointed as Global Director – Live Events at NODWIN Gaming.
NODWIN Gaming began a pre-IPO fundraising round.
The pre-IPO round includes primary capital for global expansion and a secondary sale for existing shareholder liquidity.
NODWIN became an associate entity of Nazara Technologies in July 2025 after Nazara's stake fell below 50%.
NODWIN reported 58% year-on-year revenue growth to $58.5 million in the first nine months of FY2026.
The company last raised $28 million in 2023 at a $410 million post-money valuation.

The appointments signal NODWIN's preparation for an IPO and global scaling.
Benninghoff brings strategic investment and portfolio expansion experience from MTG.
Varma's hire strengthens NODWIN's live event ecosystem in emerging markets.
The pre-IPO round aims to fund organic growth and acquisitions while providing liquidity to existing shareholders.

NODWIN operates across esports, gaming, and youth entertainment.
It builds and monetises youth-focused content through leagues, tournaments, live events, and digital properties.
Its properties include DreamHack India, Comic Con India, NH7 Weekender, and Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGMS).
NODWIN has expanded beyond South Asia to Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
It acquired StarLadder, an esports organiser known for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 tournaments.
NODWIN reported 58% year-on-year revenue growth to Rs 261 crore in Q3 FY2026.

NODWIN plans to use pre-IPO funds for global expansion through organic growth and acquisitions.
The secondary sale component will provide liquidity for existing shareholders.
The company is preparing for a planned IPO with UBS as lead advisor.